October 2011 Revisited

Compared to historical averages, October 2011 in Hood River was warmer and cloudier, with slightly under average precipitation. Wind speeds were almost exactly average.

My station's average temperature of 53.5° was warmer than the long term October average of 51.2°, and also warmer than the more recent (2001-2010) average of 50.9°. The official average temperature in Hood River, recorded at HOXO, was 52.7°.

Hood River had its first frost (32°) on October 25, and the next day the temperature hit 28°, effectively ending the veggie gardening season.

At my station, the maximum October temperature was 70°, and the minimum was 28°. Official Hood River highs and lows (at HOXO) were 69° and 28°. The high heat index for the month was 67°, and the low wind chill was 28°.

Solar radiation averaged 207 Ly/day, compared to an average October solar radiation of 246 Ly/day. The maximum solar radiation, 314, occurred on the 17th. The minimum, 55, on the 22nd.

Official precipitation totaled 1.58" at HOXO, and 2.06" at MCAREC, compared to an average of 2.24". My station recorded 1.99"". The high rain day was 0.50" on Oct 10th.

The 24 hour average wind speed at my somewhat sheltered weather station was 2.0 mph, compared to an average October wind speed of 2.1 mph.

The peak wind gust was 24 mph on the 6th and 28th. Wind speeds at other less sheltered locations, such as the Columbia River, were undoubtedly higher. Barometric pressure peaked at 30.47", with a low of 29.46".

There was 1 local weather record set in October. On the 22nd, the low temperature only reached 53°, setting a new "high low" for the date. Previous record: 50° in 2003.

These monthly summaries use data from my weather station located near May and Rand Streets in Hood River. To view my weather station's data for October 2011, click here.

For official Hood River data, and historical averages/records, the data comes from both the manually read NOAA station at MCAREC, and HOXO, the automated station located right next to MCAREC.

Speaking of October, this classic tune vaguely relates to Halloween, which is in October. It also vaguely relates to Walla Walla, which is in Washington. Other than that, good luck getting it out of your head. And whatever you do, don't start tapping your feet.